Method involved in the apparatus for mechanically applying seeds to dough forms



June 23, 1953 c; HETTINGER 2,642,821 METHOD INVOLVED IN THE APPARATUS FQR IECHANICALLY Y APPLYING SEEDS T0 DOUGH FORMS Original Filed Oct. 20, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVIJVTOR. CHARLES HETTINGER HTTORNEY June 23,1953 c. HETTINGER 2,642,321

METHOD INVOLVED IN THE APPARATUS FOR HECHANICALLY APPLYING SEEDS TO DOUGH FORIIS Original Filed 001:. 20, 1950 2 Shuts-Sheet l 1 II I INVENTOR. CHnreLEs HETTINGEF? BY ma Patented June 23, 1953 METHOD INVOLVED IN THE APPARATUS FOR MECHANICALLY APPLYING SEEDS T DOUGH FORMS- Charles Hcttinger, Englewood, N. J.

Original application October 20, 1950, Serial No. 191,262. Divided and this application April 10, 1952, Serial No. 281,524

2 Claims.

This invention relates to the method involved in the apparatus for mechanically applying seeds or other fine solids to dough forms prior to baking, as disclosed in my co-pending application for patent filed October 20, 1950, Serial No. 191,262. This application is a division thereof,

In carrying out the invention, I have devised a main frame which supports a pair of receptacles-one directly in advance of the other. One receptacle contains a suitable moistening agent and a conveyor partially submerged in the moistenlng agent. The other receptacle, by way of example, contains poppy seeds, and is likewise equipped with a conveyor which carries the seeds above the top of the receptacle. Dough forms are fed to the first conveyor which moistens the bottoms of the forms. Then the forms are transferred to the second conveyor and due to the moist condition of the forms, the seeds presented by said conveyor adhere to the forms, and in this condition the latter are passed on to an oven, and baked. By moistening the bottoms of the dough forms, the seeds adhere only to such moistened bottoms, and thus by the method disclosed, the application of the seeds can be accomplished expeditiously, without turning the dough over and without depositing the seed from the top,.and without waste. Also by applying the seed from the bottom, the pressure of the Weight of the dough gives a firm bond therewith and a uniform distribution of seeds on the dough. When it is deposited on the dough from the top, the seeds do not adhere to the dough piece and during proofing (raising) and backing of the dough, the seeds tend to fall on, and a non-uniform distribution of the seeds is accomplished. My method eliminates these objections.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the complete machine.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1. i

Fig, 3 is a transverse section taken on lines 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section along'lines 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the receptacle designed to contain seeds, and

Fig. 6 is an end view of the receptacle.

Essentially, the invention comprises a pair of semi-circular receptacles 56 suitably supported and depending from a rectangular frame 1. Operating within receptacle 5 is a conveyor belt 8, preferably made of canvas or similar material having a definite characteristic of capillary at- 2 traction, and trained over drive roll 9 and guide rolls l0-H in a form simulating an inverted right-angled triangle. The beltfurther transverses a bed [2 which is sustained by brackets 13, connected to frame 1 and extends transversely of receptacle 5 and medially of the belt set-up.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2, receptacle 5 is designed to be partially filled with water [4, and a portion of belt 8 is submerged therein.

Receptacle 6 is of similar conformation with respect to receptacle 5, and lies directly forward thereof. At its outer upper end, receptacle 6 is provided with a drive roll [5 connected by belt 16 to drive roll 9, which 1atter is connected to driven pulley l1. Receptacle 6 is also equipped with a bed I8, supported relatively to frame '1 by a pair of brackets I9, but in the present instance, the rear portion of the bed is extended and curved downwardly beneath the bed so as to constitute an apron 26. The end of the apron is curled inwardly at 2| and secured to the transverse rod 22. Otherwise, the contour of the apron as respects the shape of receptacle 6 is convergent from its outer end towards lip 25 of thereceptacle.

Passing over roll l5, bed I8, and apron 20 is a conveyor 24, shown in the present instance, as being constructed of fine mesh screen or other like reticulated material, which will pick up seeds 25 in receptacle 6 and carry them to bed I 8.

Guide roll I I is mounted on the ends of bars 26, and rod 22 is carried by like bars 21. Both pairs of bars may be adjusted, respectively, by wing nuts 28-2 9.

Dough, in any desired form, is fed to belt 8 at the point just above drive roll 9. The fact that the belt is saturated with water contained in receptacle 5, moistens the bottoms of the dough forms as they are carried over bed 12 on to screen 24. The moist dough thus causes the seeds held in the interstices of the screen to free themselves and to adhere to the dough forms in an equidistantly spaced pattern, which are then transferred to a baking oven.

I reserve the right to make such changes or modifications as may come within the scope of the appended claims:

I claim:

} 1. The method of applying edible units to dough forms which consists of continuously moving spaced dough forms along a predetermined, substantially horizontal path, spanning in substantially vertical, spaced relationship, a material source of moisture and a material source of edible units, continuously moving at substantially the same rate as said dough forms moisture and edible units from said sources to successive regions of said path, successively applying said moisture and edible units to the undersurface of the said moving dough forms.

2. The method of continuously moving spaced dough forms at a predetermined rate along a predetermined, substantially horizontal pa-th, spanning in vertically spaced relationship, a material source of moisture and a material source of edible units, continuously moving at the same rate as said dough forms, moisture and edible units from said sources to successive regions 01- said path, successively applying said moisture and edible units to the undersurfaces of the said moving dough forms.

CHARLES HE'I'TINGER.

4 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Lampert June 29, 1880 Bausman Jan, 27, 1925 Ehrhart May 20, 1930 Salerno Apr. 21, 1931 Steffen July 10, 1934 Engels et al Sept. 14, 1937 Ferry June 7, 1938 Holtzman et a1. Sept. 12, 1939 Petrilli Apr. 18, 1944 

